A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Thursday 1 September 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. (Click on photo to see a larger image.) Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. For Transcendental Association Connect With Other Members of this Course. Join this Conference: http://groups.google.com/group/sda_students Today's Thought: Living in the Eternal Spring Uploaded from the Austin, Texas USA Airport The other day I read an article in which the author was stating that he is now in the autumn of his life. Even though I am of a similar age to him, in my sixties, I am thinking differently about my age. Of course, externally the sixties are one's autumn years. If we take into account a 100 year life span, up to 25 years is spring, 26 to 50 is summer, 51 to 75 is autumn, and 76 to 100 is winter. But by living in one's eternal identity as Krishna's servant, one remains an eternal youth and is living in the eternal spring, no matter what age his body may be. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Live in an Eternal Spring with the Eternal Youth http://www.backtohome.com/images/Krishna/Krishna_w_flute.jpg Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: What is Your Advise to All Human Beings? Your mails are very inspiring. Really and truly Krishna's mercy and guru's selfless tapasya has made the santana dharma way of life so simple and livable. What is your one advice to all human beings? Raghavendra R. Answer: Surrender Fully to Krishna Now My request to all livings throughout the entire material existence is that everyone should surrender fully to Lord Krishna right now without any hesitation. This is the simple solution for all of our problems and anxieties. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2011 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at:http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. Searchable archives of all of course material: http://www.sda-archives.com Receive Thought for the Day as an RSS feed: http://www.backtohome.com/rss.htm Unsubscribe or change your email address Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Daily_Thought Thought for the Day on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ultimate.Self.Realization Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. Simply we request you to acknowledge where it is coming from with a link to our sign up page: http://www.backtohome.com Our records indicate that at requested to be enrolled to receive e-mails from the Ultimate Self Realization Course at: This request was made on: From the following IP address:

One whose arms, forehead, chest, and head are decorated with with gopi-candana tilaka at the time of death is transferred to the transcendental abode of Lord Vishnu, even if he was the killer of a child, cow, or brahmana.

He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady in both success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions. Bg 4.22

A sincere devotee of Krsna abandons all material sense enjoyment due to his higher taste for spiritual enjoyment in the association of the Lord. That is the great secret of success in Krsna consciousness or bhakti-yoga.

Without purification, one cannot attain success simply by changing dress into the sannyasa order of life.

The leaders of all world states should spread the science of Krsna consciousness so that the people may take advantage of this great science and pursue a successful path, utilizing the great opportunity of the human form of life.

Everyone is dependent for success upon Krsna's mercy alone, and all kinds of spiritual processes are but different degrees of success on the same path towards pure devotional service to God (Krsna).

So, you are all advanced students. You should understand the importance of each and every item of devotional service. Do not make any misunderstanding by devaluating any of the spiritual activities. You are one of the advanced students. One who distinguishes a particular type of service as inferior or superior, he does not know the value of devotional service. It is all transcendental. Whatever item is suitable, that is accepted as very elevated. Just like Maharaja Pariksit. He simply listened to Sukadeva Gosvami. That is sravanam. And Sukadeva Gosvami simply narrated Srimad-Bhagavatam. This is kirtanam. Prahlada Maharaja simply contemplated -- smaranam. Prthu Maharaja simply did deity worship -- arcanam. Arjuna only remained as friend of Krishna -- sakhyam. Hanuman remained only engaged in carrying out the order of Lord Ramacandra -- dasyam. And Bali Maharaja surrendered everything to Krishna -- atma-nivedanam. So, any devotee executing any one of the nine is transcendentally glorious. One devotee may be proud that his process of service is the best. That is not inglorious. This is called transcendental competition. Everyone should feel proud of his particular type of devotional service, but that does not mean that other types of service are inferior. Everyone should feel proud of becoming sincere servant of Krishna, but the pure devotee never minimizes the importance of other devotees. Krishna is the enjoyer of varieties of service. It is not stuck up with any particular type of service. Krishna takes pleasure with devotees even by fighting service. When Grandfather Bhisma was trying to injure the body of Krishna by sharpened arrows, in full devotion in the mellow of chivalry, Krishna was feeling the piercing of the arrows as good as worshiping him with soft rose flowers. The conclusion is that everyone should be very very sincere. There is no more the question of inferior or superior.

Thinking of Srila Prabhupada and Srimati Radharani, we naturally think of their compassion. Srila Prabhupada said that Radharani represents Krishna's compassionate nature, and Srila Prabhupada is a manifestation of hers. Now, as we approach Sri Radhastami, I would like to share two complimentary talks that Niranjana Swami and I gave last year after Vyasa-puja, on Vaishnava compassion

August 7th 2011 Edinburgh Rathayatra - lousy Scottish weather but the devotees were ecstatic. We walked down Forest road and there it was, the old Temple established by our Tribhuvanath Prabhu, subsequently lost but greatly missed by Srila Prabhupada

1968 August 31: "Your sincerity of service will bring Krishna more and more near to you. So have faith in Him and surely you will be successful in opening a branch. Indications of Krishna's help are very much hopeful." Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 August 31: "There is immense possibility of spreading this Movement all over the world if it is administered properly. The younger generation are hankering after some spiritual food and they are relishing this Krishna Consciousness Movement with some taste." Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 August 31: "In the camps of our Godbrothers the real preaching spirit must be impregnated. They are simply satisfied with some Mathas - they have forgotten the preaching spirit of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja." Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1971 August 31: "Your program of traveling in a van from town to town and distributing our books and having street Sankirtana, do it with my full approval. This is our real program. Surely Caitanya Mahaprabhu will bless you more and more." Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1974 August 31: "I am glad to learn you are with your wife. Combine together and raise your children in Krishna consciousness and be an ideal household couple. Do not pick up any childish quarrels together." Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 August 31: "You, and the others who have signed your proposal, should know that the BBT advanced to Spiritual Sky money without my consent. Now Spiritual Sky cannot return the money to BBT. What is the answer to this implication?" Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 August 31: "The other day while taking my morning walk from the backside of your land I reached on the main road. So much land is still vacant without any utility. If you can spare all these lands on lease terms we can immediately use them properly." Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

There were no less than one hundred volley ball courts set up at The Beaches in Toronto's east side. Each court was occupied by summer enthusiasts. A member of our community, Mel, treated me to a barefoot trek (at my request) to the sandy beach to wind down the day.

There was nothing licentious about the beach. It was just family fun and nationalities of all kinds, yet the topic shared between Mel and I while trudging through sand was 'lust and what to do about it'. Mel recently had a failed marriage, yet the desire for companionship lingers. He explained that he feared being broken-hearted again and felt reluctant, at least for now, to enter into another relationship. As the saying goes, "once burnt, twice shy."

He wanted to know how to deal with human nature. He is contemplating celibacy. The question was, "how to deal with the urge and stay celibate?" I offered these recommendations:

1) Pray for strength from guru, God, and perhaps great celibate heroes like Hanuman and Bhisma.

2) Channel that explosive physical energy towards devotional passions such as drumming and dancing at a kirtan chanting session. Yoga, physical exercise such as walking, running and swimming are favourable.

3) Keep very busy in devotional service priorities such as chanting, reading, etc. - 24/7

4) Be informed. Statistically, a high percentage of relationships end up being a non-pretty sight. 50% of marriages fail and common-law relations dissolve also at a high rate.

5) Avoid viewing sex indulgent situations.

6) Be in good spiritual association with other celibates or respectable family folks.

7) Seek blessings.

Now, if one chooses to indulge in lust, then 1) do so within the realm of dharma, some level of control and regulation, and 2) Seek blessings.

The woman had a microphone in her hand while her male companion bore the camera. They are working on a documentary with the topic, 'happiness'.

"What makes you happy?" she asked as I had just arrived at the corner of Bloor and Spadina to meet the monthly chanting party there.

The answer came with no apprehension as I said, "the freedom to walk, to meet people and meet God." I clarified that last phrase by saying that while trekking I chant and connect with the Divine in this way.

"what do you like about Toronto?" she asked.

"It's remarkable diversity of people. The whole world seems to be represented in this spot on the globe."

Off the record I spoke more to the couple about the carefree life of moving about. They were happy themselves about executing the project. I felt the topic relevant for who in this whole world will not admit to wanting happiness. Happiness or, ananda, as given in Sanskrit the term is an integral component to our very being. We are sat, which means, 'eternal'. We are cit, which means 'cognizant'. And we are ananda, which means 'full of joy'.

In this world everyone is seeking happiness, ''ananda bhayo nyasat'. Because it is our nature and exists within, and absence of it seems wrong. If our drive in life is purely mundane then we cover that natrual happiness just as one might conceal a lit candle with a bushel turned upside down. It seems we are habituated to blocking the natural shine within us while not aware of the mistake. By nature we are jolly but we deny this by unnecessary attitude and behaviour.

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your very nice letter of January 10, 1972, and I am very much pleased by the sentiments expressed therein. It is not so much that because there may be some faults in our godbrothers and godsisters, or because there may be some mismanagement or lack of cooperation, that this is due to being impersonalists, no.

It is the nature of the living condition to always have some fault. Even in the Spiritual World there is some fault and envy — sometimes the Gopis will quarrel over Krishna’s favor, and once Krishna was so much attracted to Radharani that by mistake he tried to milk the bull instead of the cow, and sometimes when the Gopis used to put on their dress and make-up for seeing Krishna, they would be too much hasty and smear kumkum and mascara in the wrong places and their ornaments and dresses would appear as if small children had been trying to dress themselves and they were not very expert, like that. There are so many examples.

But it is not the same as material fault or material envy, it is transcendental because it is all based on Krishna. Sometimes when one Gopi would serve Krishna very nicely, the others would say, Oh, she has done so nicely, now let me do better for pleasing Krishna. That is envy, but it is transcendental, without malice. So we shall not expect that anywhere there is any Utopia. Rather, that is impersonalism. People should not expect that even in the Krishna Consciousness Society there will be Utopia.

Because devotees are persons, therefore there will always be some lacking — but the difference is that their lacking, because they have given up everything to serve Krishna — money, jobs, reputation, wealth, big educations, everything — their lackings have become transcendental because, despite everything they may do, their topmost intention is to serve Krishna. “One who is engaged in devotional service, despite the most abominable action, is to be considered saintly because he is rightly situated.”

The devotees of Krishna are the most exalted persons on this planet, better than kings, all of them, so we should always remember that and, like the bumblebee, always look for the nectar or the best qualities of a person.

Not like the utopians, who are like the flies who always go to the open sores or find the faults in a person, and because they cannot find any utopia, or because they cannot find anyone without faults, they want to become void, merge, nothing — they think that is utopia, to become void of personality.

So if there is sometimes slight disagreements between devotees, it is not due to impersonalism, but it is because they are persons, and such disagreements should not be taken very seriously. The devotee is always pessimistic about the material world, but he is very optimistic about the spiritual life; so in this way, you should consider that anyone engaged in Krishna’s service is always the best person. …

Hope this will meet you in good health,
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

What will happen in 2012? Speculation runs rampant that the world will end. Even Hollywood, Bollywood and film makers in other countries have cashed in on the frenzy with movies in many languages speculating about the end of the Earth

To help us develop further programs, Bhaktivedanta College Radhadesh designed a survey that we hope will give us a better picture of how to serve our students. We would greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time in completing this simple survey

In honor of his appearance day (today the 29th of August), we are posting the following excerpt from chapter one of a new book coming soon from Gopal Jiu Publications, called, "When Good Fortune Arises"

I'm sure that you all had a busy but blissful Janamashtami and Vyaspuja; And now preparing for Radhashtami to please Srimati Radharani and Srila Prabhupada. There is yet another big opportunity coming up to please Srila Prabhupada. World Holy Name Week (WHNW) 2011 - September the 10th till the 20th

Gaur Gadadhar das: You are cordially invited to join in the celebration of the Twelfth Annual 24-hour Akhanda San-Kirtanam at the home of Ravi (Nitai Gaurasundar das) and Meena (Matsya devi dasi) Singh

Srinandan das: Metro Detroit became home to two scintillating public events by H.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaja. A team of doctors, engineers and other professionals came together to conduct two spectacular book-release programs: one at Grosse Pointe Farms and the other one at Royal Oak, Michigan

Satyahit das: Having read the Saranagati BC update, and heard so many familiar names from Canada, I thought to give an update on Krishna Lunch Gainesville FL, where at the U of Florida 700 to 1000 plates of prasadam are monday thru friday distributed from 11:30am till 1:30pm on the campus

A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Wednesdy 31 August 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. (Click on photo to see a larger image.) Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. For Transcendental Association Connect With Other Members of this Course. Join this Conference: http://groups.google.com/group/sda_students Today's Thought: Finding What We Have Lost Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA Sometimes when we lose something which is very valuable and necessary for us, such as our wallet, it becomes such a great disturbance that our entire consciousness becomes absorbed in finding that missing thing. For example, even while eating we may think of that missing thing instead of our meal. Or we may awaken in the morning to find ourselves wondering where is that missing valuable as the only thing worth thinking about. In the same way we should realize that we have lost the absolutely most essential valuable item of our existence, the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and we should thus intensely absorb our entire consciousness in finding that sublime all-merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead, searching, searching, searching for Him everywhere until finally we are reunited with Him in our svarupa, our eternal relationship with Him in the spiritual sky. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Srila Prabhupada Reveals Krishna in Montreal http://www.backtohome.com/images/Prabhupada/SP-Montreal.JPG Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: How Demigods Can Be Mortals? You have stated that the demigods are mortals like us. How can you confirm this when there is so much difference between the demigods and ourselves? How can you say that they are in the same category as ordinary humans? Thank you. Sarbesh Sharma Answer: They Die When the Universe is Destroyed The answer is very simple. When the powerful demon Hiranyakasipu petitioned the chief demigod Lord Brahma for the boon of immortality Brahmaji told him, Since I am not immortal, I cannot give you immortality. The demigods are powerful controllers of this material universe. That's a fact. But at the end of Brahma's life this material universe is destroyed along with all of its inhabitants, including Lord Brahma and the thirty three million demigods. Therefore Lord Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gita that demigod worship is for those who have lost their intelligence. If we worship the demigods, we go to the demigods and remain mortal. If we would like to become immortal, we can do that by worshipping Lord Krishna, the source of eternal existence. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2011 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at:http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. Searchable archives of all of course material: http://www.sda-archives.com Receive Thought for the Day as an RSS feed:http://www.backtohome.com/rss.htm Unsubscribe or change your email address Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Daily_Thought Thought for the Day on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ultimate.Self.Realization Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. Simply we request you to acknowledge where it is coming from with a link to our sign up page: http://www.backtohome.com Our records indicate that at requested to be enrolled to receive e-mails from the Ultimate Self Realization Course at: This request was made on: From the following IP address:

Through patches of jewel weed we did roam. Priyam is about to enter high school next week, is an avid soccer player and now saw another side to sports - walking. His dad, Rajesh, also on the trail less travelled, was like the two of us - not exactly sure where we were going. It was dawn and the trail wasn't always traceable. You stumble here and there on unforeseen rock and trip over the odd tree roots. It made us alert though.

We vowed not to talk, or let's say, it was understood our soft chanting was to take dominance. The challenge was not how to shut out mother nature either, but to feel a union of the Creator, the sound of mantras, with creation, the nature around us.

We began this stretch of our trek by marvelling at Inglis Falls, a pretty sight. Father God (Krishna) and Mother Nature became married, in a sense. From there we took to a trail's loop and meandered somewhat. At one point I broke our apparent silence to inform the two with me that the patch of jewel weed we were brushing against to our right and left provides juices to cure an irritable poison ivy rash. A friend, I recently found out, got covered with the infection. He was doing a farmer's job in the harvest of hay when the ivy got caught in the mix. Rajesh offered to say that there is some similar plant like that in India. What it was, he wasn't exactly sure, but something is out there in the jungles of India.

I guess you could say infections of all kinds are everywhere. You search for the cure. One time our guru, Srila Prabhupada, explained that there are three main infections in this world. Of course, he was referring to the more psycho-physical traits of the gunas as described in the Vedas - satva guna (goodness), raja guna (passion), and tamo guna (ignorance). these gunas or conditions are the soul's irritants.

The cure comes form the change of heart. The method is to chant attentively and feelingly.

At the end of the day I was back in the Big City again - Toronto. After hours of administrative and advisory service, I felt a deserving trek would do. What an environmental adjustment it was from the morning! There, at Inglis, it was quiet. Here, it's hip hop blaring from auto radios, outdoor salsa dancing at a street corner, smells of pizza exhausting out of their shops, people on cells. A lot of guna stuff, I would say.

The Batra family, Subal Vilas, Ashalatta and family hosted their annual Janmasthami festival from their home in Markham. Joining us was Bir Krishna Goswami, a sannyasi monk from America, and BB Bhagavat Swami from South Africa. We all came together the previous night for a wonderful time. Since the event stretched to close to midnight, the positive effect spilled over into this day which was an altogether extension of more spiritual joy.

One of the founding fathers of the Iskcon Brampton chapter, Vaishnava Das, celebrated his 60th. I was invited and expected to speak. I chose verse 2.60 from the Gita to speak from wherein it is said that it only takes one of our strong senses to carry away a person's mind and lead to a defeat in the battle against resistance. I went on to explain that those on the spiritual path usually experience a mix of the spiritual and material dabblings in the course of each day. Often times it is the superior taste of spirituality that comes in spurts and prods us on for more of the same.

The gathering for Vaishnava's birthday was a truly spiritual-grabbing sensation followed by a car trip to Owen Sound at the home of Rajesh Kalavadia. Neighbours and friends came to hear something new. The next door neighbours had heard us before on a previous visit as the sound vibrated through the windows while they were having their barbecue. This time around there was no outdoor cooking of animal. They very respectfully came over to hear the mantra and to partake in Indian-cuisine prasadam. How they loved it!

A trip to Inglis Falls and a brief stroll down the famous Bruce Trail completed a perfect day. A new couple from Brampton Rajneesh, Alka and their two children took me to Owen Sound for a day's pilgrimage that they won't forget.

In the last two days I attended satsang, home gatherings, where we spoke about some of the vices that we are all plagued with. From the Bhagavad-gita, 15.5, the issue of pride is addressed. From the verse's purport I read and expanded upon the topic:

"The first qualification is that one should not be deluded by pride. When one is free from delusion caused by pride, he can begin the process of surrender. For one who is always expecting some honour in this material world, it is not possible to surrender to the Supreme person. Pride is due to illusion for although one comes here, stays for a brief time and then goes away, he has the foolish notion that he is the Lord of the world. He thus makes all things complicated, and he is always in trouble. The whole world moves under this impression."

Speaking bluntly of a list of nasties such as pride, the author, Srila Prabhupada, explained that vices are "the royal road to hell". Pride's opposite, humility, is also described by Prabhupada as the quality where one is not anxious to have the satisfaction of being honoured by others. (Bhagavad-gita 13.8)

With the last effort to walking for the day, my humility was tested. This happened so after talking about meekness versus pride at a satsang. I was going southbound on Yonge St. I was sleepless, it was after midnight, so I took to the sidewalk. A group of drunken fellows blasted by in a car. One of them stuck his body out the window to shout out an obscenity. My mental response was one of defensiveness. Walking almost abreast to me was a black dude who looked with disgust. He and I were both not sure whom the curse was meant for. Being both representatives of minorities, either of us could have been the target, or both. "What's the matter with these guys? You can be drunk, but you can still have respect," said my brief walking agitated companion.

I encouraged him to see it with a different point of view, "Perhaps we need to receive a dosage of humility every now and then. I learned this from being on the road three times across Canada."

I made a friend out of this event. Had the nasty remark not been uttered, we likely would not have had a meaningful conversation. Something positive arose from a foul source. Lessons in life come from every which way.

A while back, we had posted about Kirtan Mela 2011 in Germany, the first and biggest international kirtan event ever! Inspired by HH Sacinandana Swami, Kirtan Mela 2011 will feature six days of unforgettable kirtan with 12 hours of kirtan every single day featuring spiritual leaders, kirtaniyas and thousands of devotees from all over the world!

You can watch the live broadcast of this incredible event on http://mayapur.tv/, go to the "KirtanaMela" channel.

This week in the Japa Room on mayapur.tv the task for the week became an absorbing and enlivening discussion. The task involved identifying the most important change in our chanting since attending the Japa Room and the effects or feeling that we experienced. One devotee expressed that they felt they were giving more respect to the Holy names by concentrating on the sound - another said that they felt more peaceful and closer to Krsna with the changes they had made.

By continuing to improve our Japa in some way, we will feel the reciprocation of the Lord and move closer towards Him as we express our devotion through chanting.

I catered for my Dad's 87th birthday party last weekend. Here's some highlights of the spread.

Inari-zushi are one of my favourite ways of serving sushi rice, and I have had loads of practice at making them. They are served here on a bed of watercress leaves. Splendid finger food!

I had a bash at cake decoration - it has never been my specialty. I need a bit more practice with the piping bag. The mini-cupcakes were based on a great recipe for eggless cupcakes by fellow food blogger Sanjana.

The citrus cheesecake was based on a recipe in my very first cookbook. Lime, and orange flavoured inside with a mandarin jelly topping and glace orange segments dipped in something brown and naughty.

Here's those mini-cupcakes again - pretty little dudes. It was great fun putting them together, and I gave myself plenty of time for a meditative and careful construct.

And even closer encounters of the cupcake variety. Two varieties of cupcakes and two varieties of buttercream toppings plus eight different toppings meant that almost no two cupcakes were exactly the same. Simultaneously one and different!

Here is the Experimental Gold Leafing technique for the interiors of the new temple decorations, and it was a success! The gold leafing was brought personally from Australia by Sadbhuja Das himself. Gold leafing has traditionally been most popular and most common in its use as gilding material for decoration of art. Gold leaf is gold that has been hammered into extremely thin sheets and is finely brushed onto the piece of art to create the effect of a solid gold piece. Here we are gilding some Lord Nrsimhadeva faces that will be placed up on the inside of the temple. This is just a sample of what it will look like. A lot of decorations for the temple will be gold leafed to give an opulent and majestic effect.